(To download a PDF copy of the program brochure, click the image above or click here.)

SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL?
THE SOCIOECONOMIC REALITIES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION
IN AMERICA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2009

LOYOLA LAW CENTER
CEREMONIAL COURTROOM
25 EAST PEARSON STREET
CHICAGO, IL

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM
This symposium brings together educators, administrators, attorneys, and policymakers who are united in their desire for a better and more equal education system, and who bring exciting and different ideas to the reform discussion. This symposium will explore the Illinois education funding debate, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and desegregation litigation from Brown v. Board of Education through Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1, among other topics. In addition, some of the leading figures in education reform will share their models for how the system should and should not be changed.

ABOUT THE PUBLIC INTEREST LAW REPORTER
PILR is an innovative legal publication that focuses on reporting the most current legal topics in a news format directed to students, educators, and practitioners. PILR is edited and produced by Loyola law students. Founded in 1995, PILR offers feature articles and news of legal developments in the areas of human rights, economic justice, criminal justice, the environment, and governance.

ABOUT THE CHILDLAW AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE
A vital component of the Civitas ChildLaw Center, the Loyola University Chicago ChildLaw and Education Institute is designed for students, faculty, judges, practitioners, business leaders, and policymakers who strive to serve the educational needs of children through the law. The ChildLaw and Education Institute offers a comprehensive and integrated curriculum in education law, collaborative and interdisciplinary research and outreach, and advocacy resources for children confronting barriers to educational opportunities.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDITS
This program has been approved by the Illinois MCLE Board for 5.25 hours of credit.

PROGRAM AGENDA

All session will be held in the Ceremonial Courtroom - 10th floor.

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 9:45 a.m. | Keynote Address
Where Are We Now? The Current State of America's Public Schools

Veronica Anderson (bio)
Editor-in-Chief
Catalyst Chicago

9:45 - 10:45 p.m.
Where Did All the Money Go? The Public School Funding Formula in Illinois

Mary Ellen Guest (bio)
Executive Director
A+ Illinois

Daniel W. Hynes (bio)
Illinois State Comptroller

Sharon E. Jones (bio)
Chief Operating Officer
Chicago Urban League

Ralph Martire (bio)
Executive Director
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

10:45 - 11:00 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m. - Noon
No Child Left Behind? A Critical Examination of Homeless Education Policies and Implementation Realities

Laurene M. Heybach (bio)
Director, The Law Project
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

Cary M. Martin (bio)
Associate
Sidley Austin LLP

Eric Tars (bio)
Children and Youth Staff Attorney
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

Noon - 1:15 p.m.
Luncheon with featured discussion
Kasbeer Hall

What Did Brown Do For You? Brown v. Board 50 Years Later

Jonathan Baum (bio)
Partner and Director
Pro Bono Services
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

G. Robb Cooper (bio)
Partner
Ottosen Britz Kelly Cooper & Gilbert Ltd.

1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
ABC, Easy as 1, 2, 3? Current Education Policy and Approaches to Reform

Moderator: Hillary Coustan (bio)
Associate Director
Loyola University Chciago
ChildLaw and Education Institute

Allan Alson (bio)
Associate Director for Leadership
Consortium for Educational Change

Randall Collins (bio)
President
American Association of School Administrators

Lisa K. Scruggs (bio)
Partner
Jenner and Block

Elizabeth Evans (bio)
Executive Director
Illinois Network of Charter Schools

Denise M. Gamble (bio)
Principal
Joseph Medill Elementary School

Beth Heaton (bio)
Director of Recruitment Office of New Schools
Chicago Public Schools

Michael Klonsky (bio)
Director
Small Schools Workshop

3:15 p.m. | Closing Remarks